02 Sep 2015 02:14:19
Clearly there are those that want Wenger out and the sooner the better for a number of them, that's exactly what the forum is for, a mix of opinions and thoughts on our club as a whole, players, manager, medical team and trainers.

Simply because I support Wenger does not equate to my acceptance of finishing fourth or accepting 2nd best in anything. I want this team to win titles and lots of them.

Someone posted recently on another page that there is a saying, that I think originated from Germany, somewhat irrelevant, but it was that football is the most important, unimportant thing in the world and it couldn't be more apt. Trouble is we genuinely do love it and get mixed up in the emotions of everything that goes with it and the transfer windows multiply that 10 fold.

You can look across every page and find posters on each that have had enough of the current manager including Chelsea, United, Liverpool, Everton or whoever. That is football.

Me, I'm one who more often than not leans toward the positives, that doesn't mean I'm blind to problems, believe Wenger is blameless and thus just follow him like some kind of clueless lapdog.

He turned a corner to the good for me in January with the introduction of Coquelin, however that occurred, in fact the team turned a corner as a whole, decided they didn't want to get their arses kicked in every big game and put a stop it.

We became the best team in the 2nd half of the season for that very reason, we have shown we can cut it with the best.

We now have a world class keeper, we have a RB who has just been called into the Spain squad and a LB who for me just gets better. We have a centre back in Gabriel who looks like he will make a great partner for Koscielny when the time comes.

Cazorla and Coquelin look excellent together and as good a pair as any in those roles. In front of them we have some great options in Ozil, Ramsey, Wilshere, Chamberlain, Welbeck, Sanchez, Giroud, Campbell and Walcott.

D_ said a few days ago, we could have a bench of Ospina, Debuchy, Gabriel, Wilshere, Chamberlain, Walcott and Welbeck. That is quality.

Have we made a great start, no, have we made a terrible start, no, are Chelsea going to be involved in a relegation battle, no, but points now would suggest yes. So it's ridiculous to think City will win the league 4 games in.

Do they have a better squad that us, would have to say yes, or more specifically in Aguero and Toure. Have they just spent £150 million yes. Does that make them a million miles ahead of us, for me that's a no but it looks good for dramatic effect.

Do I believe this team as a group can win the league under Wenger, that's a yes, will it be easy, no.

Ask me if I'm happy with the window then yes I am, being greedy would I have liked a Worldie at centre forward along with William Carvalho, then yes. Do I realise an injury to Coquelin could cost us, then I have to accept yes it may. Am I going to worry about that or apportion blame. No I'm not.

We have a great squad, we are not yet on top form, we have 3 world class players and we haven't been able to say that for a few years.

I support my team, I don't fawn over other teams, other players or other managers incessantly because none of them are mine.

I know nothing of the inner workings of the transfer window but thankfully we've had ed01 and ed02 giving us insights and information, that some chose to ignore that and talk from sheer ignorance is down to them, but that's life.

So each to their own, I'm excited about the season ahead that is only 4 games in with over 100 points to play for.

1.) 02 Sep 2015
02 Sep 2015 07:15:35
Nice post stoner but you can't give the guy any credit for coquelin who I believe will show this season he needs to be replaced by a better player. He was a last resort recall because we didn't replace arteta last year and he got injured. He will end up back on the bench in the end.

This squad is not winning the title mate its obvious to see. Otamendi is an excellent signing also for city and kdb will only add to there fire power

Missed opportunity mate but its Wenger if he fails now itl be because he hasn't brought in the players. Gives him an excuse for when city lift the title. Real Shame

2.) 02 Sep 2015
02 Sep 2015 07:37:34
Stoner have you abilities to read minds? I have been thinking same latelly as well :) great post imo. We have very good team. I don't know if we will win title, but I am sure that I will support my team no matter what... But here is banter page so everyone is free to say they thoughts and feelings.. Imo we should always stick behinde the team no matter what

3.) 02 Sep 2015
02 Sep 2015 08:26:51
Good post Stoner mate as you say were all different which is pretty handy as constantly reading posts that are identical to your own would soon become very boring.
For some like Arsene successe is the 4th trophy as is making up the numbers in the CL but for others only winning the title can be classed as success.
For me its about being competive in all games for an entire season going to Chelsea and City with them fearing you as much you do them not just being accepted as dangerous on our day I want to be in the race for 38 games where games are watched on the edge of my seat because dropped points really matter each week and if that results in a really big trothy fantastic but if not atleast the ride was exiting and put you through every emotion possible more weeks than not.
Theres taking part and there's making up the numbers and sadly for too long we've been making up the numbers in the CL and PL for far too long now IMO.

4.) 02 Sep 2015
02 Sep 2015 09:19:39
Great post stoner!
I agree with most of what you say, I do however feel that more effort and perhaps a little gambling should have taken place, we do have positions that could be strengthened i.e. cover for le coq and a proficient goalscorer.
If we suffer injuries (which we tend to do) we could be left with the likes of Arteta and flamini and in my opinion, they are not good enough anymore, to me it's a gamble keeping them in the squad.

Teams cannot stand still, every single team has spent and improved including outfield players, we seem to have saved money, players on loan and players gone for example Podolski, Diarby & Gnarby. in my opinion, we should not be looking to save money, but looking to improve year on year, god knows the fans are paying a premium and I cannot think of any reason why we should not expect a serious challenge on all fronts

5.) 02 Sep 2015
02 Sep 2015 16:31:42
Well said stoner I same as you but did want another striker in who could score but you never know wellbeck could come back firing on all cylinders

6.) 02 Sep 2015
02 Sep 2015 18:59:00
Derby you don't like wenger, we get it. To say he can't take any credit for coquelin is nonsense. Where do you think coquelin came from? Who do you think decided to keep him? Who do you think made the decision for him to be a DM and not a box to box midfielder like le coq originally wanted? Honestly I respect your right to have an opinion and dislike wenger but this whole blame him for all our failures and give him no credit for successes thing is utterly absurd.

7.) 03 Sep 2015
03 Sep 2015 00:28:11
Was le coq a LM and Wenger put him as cdm

8.) 03 Sep 2015
03 Sep 2015 12:37:52
You quoted something I posted, therefore I automatically agree with everything you say.

Joking aside, good post mate, and I do agree, now we haven't signed anyone, we just have to move on with it.

We'd all of liked a top striker and defensive mid, but hey ho, we still have a squad with good depth and some top class players.

Now to just survive the 3 months till Jan and see where we stand!